Keir Starmer's AI Adviser Matt Clifford Steps Down After Six Months

Keir Starmer's AI tsar to step down after six months in role

Matt Clifford, a tech investor who wrote government's controversial AI action plan, to resign for personal reasons Keir Starmer's artificial intelligence tsar, a key figure in steering the government's approach to artificial intelligence, is stepping down after six months in the role. Matt Clifford, the author of the government's AI opportunities action plan, said: he would leave his post next month for personal reasons. He described his work on drafting and implementing the 50-point plan as a "privilege", adding he was "hugely optimistic about the UK's potential to be an AI superpower". "For family reasons, I will step back from my role as the prime minister's adviser on AI opportunities at the end of July, but I'm delighted that this important work will continue across government." A government spokesperson said Starmer had thanked Clifford, who was appointed in January, for his "dedicated work" on AI policy. "We will be building on this work to bolster AI expertise across government and cement the UK's position as a world leader in AI," the spokesperson said. Clifford came to prominence as a tech investor - he is the chair of the investment firm Entrepreneurs First - but was already established as an influential political adviser before Labour won the 2024 general election. The 39 year-old played a key role in organising the global AI Safety summit, hosted by Rishi Sunak in 2023, and establishing the government's AI Safety Institute, now called the AI Security Institute. Clifford published the action plan in January and its recommendations were accepted in full by the government. They included: creating AI "growth zones" to host data centres that are the "central nervous system" of the technology; embedding AI in the public sector; and creating "national champion" AI companies. The plan also recommended changes to the UK's copyright regime, reflecting the need for AI companies to use copyright-protected data to train their systems. The issue has become a battleground between the government and the tech sector on one side and the creative industries on the other, who argue that it poses a serious threat to creative professionals' livelihoods. Beeban Kidron, a crossbench peer and a leading campaigner against the proposed copyright changes, criticised the government for taking guidance from tech sector-linked advisers such as Clifford. At the time sources told the Guardian that Clifford had agreed not to buy or sell any of the companies he part-owns while working for the government, or to be involved in decisions on new investments made by Entrepreneur First.

Starmer's artificial intelligence adviser steps down

Matt Clifford, who had been working on the government's AI strategy, is standing down for family reasons but is understood to be open to returning to Number 10 at a later point. Sir Keir Starmer's artificial intelligence adviser is standing aside after six months for family reasons. Matt Clifford continues to have a good relationship with Downing Street, and Sky News understands he would potentially be open to a return to help the government in the future. A government spokesperson told Sky News: "Matt Clifford is stepping down from his role as the prime minister's AI opportunities advisor for personal reasons. "The prime minister has thanked him for his dedicated work to deliver and implement the AI opportunities action plan. We will be building on this work to bolster AI expertise across government and cement the UK's position as a world leader in AI." Politics latest: PM calls for 'de-escalation' in Middle East Mr Clifford told Sky News: "It's been a privilege to spend the last year first writing and then implementing the AI opportunities action plan. "I'm grateful to the prime minister and the government for this opportunity to serve and am hugely optimistic about the UK's potential to be an AI superpower. "For family reasons, I will step back from my role as the prime minister's adviser on AI opportunities at the end of July, but I'm delighted that this important work will continue across government." Mr Clifford was the lead reviewer of the AI opportunities action plan, as well as being a member of the AI Safety Institute advisory board. Mr Clifford has worked across Number 10 and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He was appointed as Sir Keir's AI opportunities adviser in January 2025. His remit included advising on policy to grow the UK AI sector, including supporting uptake. 👉Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app👈 Mr Clifford was also working to help on strategies to attract AI talent and entrepreneurs to the UK. He worked with the previous Conservative government on setting up the AI Safety Institute and setting up the 2023 AI Safety Summit.